Turbine.



F. HODGKINSON.

TURBINE,

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4. 1915.

1,243,523. Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

I INVENTOR.

HIS ATTORNEY IN FACT @Trfig PTNT QFT TQJEE FRANCIS HODGKINSON, OF EDG-EWOOD PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORTO WEST- INGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA.

TURBINE.

Application filed February 4, 1915. Serial No. 6,102.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS HODGKINSON, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and a resident of Edgewood Park, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have made a new and useful Invention in Turbines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to turbines and has for an object toproduce improved means for maintaining close clearances between the rotor and stator elements of turbines.

A further object is to produce means'for preventing relative motion between the rotorand stator elements of a turbine radially with relation to the rotor element.

These and other objects, which will be made apparent by the further description of'the invention, are attained by means of apparatus embodying the features herein described ,and illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof.

I In the drawings, Figure l is a fragmental longitudinal sectional view of a turbine equipped with an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is atransverse sectional view along the line 22 of Fig. 1'.

' I 'lnsome forms of turbines it is customary to form the bearing-support integrally with the turbine stator or casing, and in large turbines there is a tendency for the support to shift its position due to temperature strains in the supporting portion of the stator, or to the normal strains on the support. The tendency of the bearing-support at the exhaust end of the turbine to shift its position is greater than that existing at the inlet or high pressure end of the turbine, since the casing at the exhaust end is larger and the arrangement of the exhaust passages renders it difficult to construct an ab solutely rigid bearing-support without unduly increasing the weight of that portion of the casing supporting the bearing-support, and since the temperature variations are greater.

The more or less specific object of my invention therefore is v to produce positive means for holding the bearing-support stationary with relation to the cylindrical portion of the casing, or that portion encircling the rotor, but the broad underlying prin- Patented Uct. 1c, ream.

ciple of the invention is to increase the rigidity of the structure so that the bearing support is positively held in place under varying strains and varying temperature conditions. 'It will be apparent from the further description of my invention that apparatus embodying the broad underlying principle may be employed in connection with the bearing-support at the hi h pressure end of a turbine, as well as the support at the low pressure end, and it may also be employed in connection with turbines in which the support is formed separately of the stator or casing.

Referring to the drawings: The turbine illustrated as equipped with an embodiment of my invention includes a rotor element 3,

which is inclosed within a exhaust end of the casing is enlarged to form an exhaust chamber 5, which is in direct communication with an exhaust port 6 provided in the casing. The end wall 7 of the casing supports a bearing-support 8, which is shown as integrally formed therewith. The casing illustrated is formed in two sections, being divided on a horizontal plane passing through theaXis of the rotor element and consequently the weight of the bearing-support and the weight of the rotor, transmitted to it, are borne almost casing at. The

wholly by the lower section of the casing.-

By referring to the drawings it will be apparent that the arrangement of the exhaust chamber 5 within the casing necessitates a construction of the bearing-support such that its inner end materially overhangs the supported portion of the end wall of the casing. While the upper section of the casing is bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the lower section and therefore aids in supporting the bearing-support, its form is such, due to the necessity for providing the exhaust chamber 5, that it does not add materially to the rigidity of the bearing-support.

In order to positively hold the support stationary with relation to the cylindrical portion of the casing, I employ a brace between the cylindrical portion of the stator and the bearing-support, which, as illustrated, consists of a separately formed disk located within the casing and rigidly se cured to the cylindrical portion of the casing and also to the inner end of the bearingsupport or that portion of the end wall of the casing immediately adjacent to the bearing-support. the bEELI'lDgSUPPOI't is held centrally with relation to the casing and variations in temperature cannot cause itto moi eradially with relation to the cylindrical portion or" the casing. 7

As illustrated, the disk 9 is provided with radially extending webs 10, which are located between the outer portion or the disk and its central or hub portion 11 for the purpose oi pr yidingadequate fluid passages between the exhaust chamber 5 and the working passage of the turbine. The disk is also I shown as formed in two parts, the line of division corresponding to the line of division between the separate sections of the casing. The peripheral portion of the disk is 'proided on one side with an annular slot 12 which, when the disk is in place on the stator, registers with an annular slot 13, formed in the end or a disk supporting flange M, formed on the stator. These grooves 12 and Y13 cooperate in receiving a centering ring 15 which, in conjunction with bolts or screws 16 GIllPlOYECllH securing the disk to the stator, forms a rigid and positive connection between the stator and the disk.

A. similar construct-ion is employed for'securing the hub portion 11 oi? the disk to the inner end of the bearing-support or to that portion of the end of the casing which is located immediately adjacent to the bearing-support. An annular slot 17 is formed therein, whichregisters with an annular slot 18, formed in the end of the bearing-support, or in an annular boss 21. which is formed integrally with the casing, is located adjacent to the support and is adapted to surround the shaft 22 of the turbine. These slots are adapted to receive a centering ring 19, and the hub portion is also bolt ed or otherwise secured to the bearing support.

With this arrangement the inner end of the bearing-support is held absolutely rigid with relation to the cylindrical portion of the casing and there is no tendency whatever for it to shift its position radially with relation to the cylindrical portion of the casing. v i

It will be apparent, to those skilled in the art that changes, additions, substitutions or omissions may be made in the apparatus illustrated and that a modification of my invention may be employed in securing the bearing-supportat the high pressure end of the turbine in place it this is found to be With this arrangement necessary, and that the invention may be employed with turbines ha ing separately med bearing-supports, without departing from its spirit and scope, as set forth by the appended claims.

ll liat I claim is: e

1. In combination with thelongitudinally divided stator of a turbine, a bearing-support for the bearing of the turbine rotor termed on the lower portion ofthe stator, and ,means for increasing the rigidity of the bearing-support, comprising a brace for the support located within the exhaust passage of the turbine stator. I r V i 1 2. in coinbinationwith the longitudinally divided stator of a turbine, a bearing-support for the bearing of the turbine rotor formed on the lower portion ofthe stator, and means for increasing the rigidity of the bcaring-support, comprising a brace forthe support located within the exhaust passage of the stator and extending between the cylindrical portion of the stator and the bearing-support supporting portion of the stator. V

3. In combination with the stator of a turbine, a bearingsupport for the turbine rotor, and a plurality of radial braces located within the interior of the stator and extending between the cylindrical portion of thestator and the bearing supporting end thereof.

at. In combination with the stator of a turbine, a bearing-support formed integrally with the exhaust end of the stator, and a sectional disk located within the exhaust chamber of the turbine and secured to the cylindrical portion of the stator and tothe bearing-support. v p

5. in combination with the stator ofa turbine, a bearing-support formed integrally with the exhaust end of the stator, means for racing the bearing-support, comprising a substantially circular disk located within the exhaustchamber of the stator and rigidly locked to the cylindrical portion of the stator and to the bearing-support.

6. In combination with the stator of a turbine, a bearing-support for the bearing of the turbine shaft, and a brace located within the stator and between the cylindrical portion thereof and the bearing-support.

7. In combination with the longitudinally divided stator of a turbine, at bearingsupport for the turbine bearing, and a sectional brace between the cylindrical portion of the stator and the bearing -support, located within the exhaust chamber ofthe turbine.

8. In combination with the longitudinally divided stator of a turbine, a bearing supporttor the bearing of the turbine shaft at the low pressure end of the turbine and on' turbine and having fluid passages formed therein and secured to the cylindrical portion of the stator and the bearing support.

9. In combination in a turbine, a stator having an exhaust chamber formed therein, a blade carrying member projecting into the exhaust chamber, a bearing support formed on the shell of the exhaust chamber, and a sectional disk rigidly secured to the blade carrying member and the bearing support.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 21st day of January, 1915.

FRANCIS HODGKINSON.

WVitnesses:

C. W. MGGHEE, E. W. MoCAILIsTER.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

